Cord management device and method of manufacturing same

ABSTRACT

A cord management device includes a receptacle ( 110, 210 ) defining an interior space ( 120, 220 ) capable of containing a power strip ( 140, 240 ). The receptacle includes a stationary portion ( 111, 211 ) and a cover ( 115, 215 ) attached to the stationary portion as with a hinge such that the cover is capable of movement between a first position, in which the cover substantially encloses the interior space, and a second position, in which the interior space is exposed. The cover has a cutout ( 117, 217 ) therein. The stationary portion includes a cord management feature ( 113, 213 ). The cutout in the cover interacts with the stationary portion of the receptacle to form an opening in the receptacle when the cover is in the first position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cord management, and relates moreparticularly to cord management for surge protectors, power strips, andthe like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sustained advances in electronics technology has produced a wide varietyof electronic devices that are both useful and economical. Consumersthat acquire such devices often find themselves left with a work spaceplagued with the unpleasant and unsightly confusion created by thenumber of wires, cords, and cables required by each device. Beyond itsunsightly appearance, such a tangle of wires can also be unsafe becausekinked wires are more susceptible to failure and because it is sometimesdifficult to identify a particular needed cable when it is intertwinedwith other cables in a disorderly way. Accordingly, there exists a needfor a cord management device that allows cords, cables, wires, and thelike to be both managed and organized and hidden from view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from a reading of the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figuresin the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cord management device according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cord management device according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the cord management deviceof FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cord management device of FIG. 1showing a cover of the cord management device in a closed positionaccording to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a cordmanagement device according to an embodiment of the invention.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present invention. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example,capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated orotherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprise,”“include,” “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limitedto those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listedor inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capableof operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwisedescribed herein. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined asdirectly or indirectly connected in an electrical, mechanical, or othermanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In one embodiment of the invention, a cord management device comprises areceptacle defining an interior space capable of containing a powerstrip. The receptacle comprises a stationary portion and a coverhingedly attached to the stationary portion. The cover has a cutouttherein and the stationary portion comprises a cord management feature.The cover is capable of movement between a first position, in which thecover substantially encloses the interior space, and a second position,in which the interior space is exposed. The cutout in the coverinteracts with the stationary portion of the receptacle to form anopening in the receptacle when the cover is in the first position.

Power cords plugged into the power strip may be managed by the cablemanagement feature and may be routed through the opening when the coveris in the first position. The result is a neatly organized batch ofcords that may be at least partially hidden from view.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cordmanagement device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, cord management device 100 comprises a receptacle110 defining an interior space 120. Receptacle 110 comprises astationary portion 111 and a cover 115 hingedly attached to stationaryportion 111 and having a cutout 117 therein.

Stationary portion 111 comprises a cord management feature 113. Cover115 is capable of movement between a first position, in which cover 115substantially encloses interior space 120, and a second position, inwhich interior space 120 is exposed. Cutout 117 interacts withstationary portion 111 to form an opening in receptacle 110 when cover115 is in the first position.

Stationary portion 111 is so named because it tends to stay still whilecover 115 moves with respect to it. In one sense, however, or in oneoperational mode, it is cover 115 that remains stationary whilestationary portion 111 moves with respect to cover 115. Nevertheless,the respective names and reference numerals already given, and repeatedhere, for stationary portion 111 and cover 115 will continue to be used,in spite of the apparent discrepancy just alluded to.

In the illustrated embodiment, stationary portion 111 comprises a floor118 and a wall 119 which is a back wall of receptacle 110. As suggestedby FIG. 1, wall 119 may be placed against, and possibly fastened to, abaseboard 101 or the like. Further in the illustrated embodiment, cover115 is hingedly attached to floor 118, meaning that cover 115 opens outand away from an upper portion of stationary portion 111 while remainingfixed to a lower portion of stationary portion 111. In a non-illustratedembodiment, cover 115 may be attached to a different portion ofstationary portion 111. The hinging action of cover 115 may beaccomplished in any of a variety of ways that will be well known to oneof ordinary skill in the art, including, for example, by using a metalor plastic hinge attached to receptacle 110, a living hinge molded intothe material of receptacle 110, a slot and pin arrangement, or any othersuitable method as known in the art. Because they are known, none of thevarious hinging mechanisms are explicitly illustrated in the figures.

FIG. 1 depicts cover 115 in the second, or open, position. With cover115 in the open position as shown, interior space 120 is exposed,meaning that it may be seen and accessed. Interior space 120 is definedby, or in other words, bounded and substantially enclosed by, receptacle110 when cover 115 is in the first, or closed, position. The same volumeof space exists when cover 115 is in the open position. Although thatvolume of space is not substantially enclosed by receptacle 110 whencover 115 is in the open position, it is still nevertheless referred toherein as interior space 120.

Cover 115 comprises a front panel 131, a top panel 132 substantiallyperpendicular to front panel 131, a side panel 133 substantiallyperpendicular to front panel 131 and to top panel 132, and a side panel134 substantially parallel to and spaced apart from side panel 133. Inthe illustrated embodiment, cutout 117 is located in top panel 132.

Also in the illustrated embodiment, cord management device 100 furthercomprises a cutout 137 in side panel 133. In a non-illustratedembodiment, cutout 137 may be located in a different panel of cover 115,or it may not exist in cover 115 at all. A function of cutout 137 willbe discussed below.

Interior space 120 is capable of and suitable for containing a powerstrip 140. As suggested by FIG. 1, power strip 140 may form at least aportion of floor 118 and or at least a portion of wall 119. In adifferent embodiment, receptacle 110 does not include a floor, andinstead uses a surface on which cord management device 100 rests as thefloor of receptacle 110. As it is used herein, the phrase “receptacle110” includes embodiments such as that just described, even though theword “receptacle” may traditionally apply more accurately to an objectthat is not missing a side.

Power strip 140, which in one embodiment can be a surge protector or thelike, comprises an electrical outlet 141. In a preferred embodiment,electrical outlet 141 is one of a plurality of electrical outlets ofpower strip 140. Accordingly, the phrase “electrical outlet 141” may beused herein to indicate any single one or any group of such plurality ofelectrical outlets, as indicated by the context. Nine such outlets areshown in the illustrated embodiment; non-illustrated embodiments maycomprise some other number of such outlets. As an example, power strip140 may comprise as few as three or as many as twelve electricaloutlets, although numbers outside this range are also possible. The nineelectrical outlets shown in the illustrated embodiment are grouped intodifferent sets, as will be further discussed below. A power cord 150 isphysically and electrically coupled to power strip 140, and is capableof supplying electric power to electrical outlet 141.

In one embodiment, power strip 140 is an integral part of cordmanagement device 100, meaning it is permanently or removably attachedto receptacle 110. As an example, power strip 140 can be molded orformed from the same piece that forms a portion of receptacle 110. Asanother example, power strip 140 can be fastened to receptacle 110 afterthe formation of receptacle 110, as with screws, rivets, welding links,or the like. In another embodiment, power strip 140 is not integral withcord management device 100, but is provided as a separate piece thatsits within interior space 120 but is not attached to receptacle 110.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the plurality of electrical outlets 141comprises a first set, in which adjacent ones of electrical outlets 141are separated from each other by a first distance, and a second set, inwhich adjacent ones of electrical outlets 141 are separated from eachother by a second distance. As an example, the first set of electricaloutlets may be those located at a surface 161 of power strip 140, whilethe second set of electrical outlets may be those located at a surface162 of power strip 140. As illustrated, the first distance—the distanceseparating adjacent ones of electrical outlets 141 in the first set—maybe appropriate for standard two-prong or three-prong plugs. Similarly,the second distance—the distance separating adjacent ones of electricaloutlets 141 in the second set—may be appropriate for the larger,bulkier, adapters commonly referred to as “power bricks,” or simply“bricks.” In a non-illustrated embodiment, the surfaces at which thefirst and second sets are located may be reversed. In the same oranother non-illustrated embodiment, the entire geometry of power strip140 may be different from what is depicted in FIG. 1. In other words,the FIG. 1 depiction, like all figure depictions herein, is intended tobe illustrative but not limiting.

Referring still to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, plurality ofelectrical outlets 141 further comprises a third set characterized inthat electrical outlets in the third set are accessible, such thatelectrical plugs may be inserted into them and removed therefrom, whencover 115 is in the closed position. The third set can contain a singleelectrical outlet, as shown, or it can contain multiple electricaloutlets. Where there are multiple electrical outlets in the third set,one or more of such electrical outlets may be located at surface 163, ata surface of power strip 140 opposite surface 163, or at some otherlocation on power strip 140.

As an example, cutout 137 provides access to electrical outlets in thethird set when cover 115 is in the closed position. More specifically,when cover 115 is in the closed position, cutout 137 exposes the portionof surface 163 where electrical outlets in the third set are located,thus providing access to those outlets even when cover 115 is closed. Ifelectrical outlets in the third set are located at other surfaces or inother places on power strip 140, additional cutouts, similar to cutout137, may be positioned in cover 115 or elsewhere so as to providesimilar access to those additional electrical outlets.

Cord management feature 113 can take any of several forms. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, cord management feature 113 is abracket comprising a finger 171 and a finger 172 that extend out awayfrom stationary portion 111 and create a space 173 through which, forexample, power cords may pass, as will be further discussed below. A gap174 between fingers 171 and 172 serves as a pass-through point where,for example, such power cords may enter or exit space 173. In oneembodiment, fingers 171 and 172 are formed out of a material that ismore flexible than the material used for other portions of receptacle110, such that fingers 171 and 172 may be flexed if needed to admit thepassage of power cords and the like that are being managed by cordmanagement feature 113. As an example, fingers 171 and 172 may beconstructed of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyvinyl chloride,(PVC) or the like, while other portions of receptacle 110 may beconstructed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonite,extruded aluminum, sheet metal over plastic, or the like. ABS, forexample, is strong, relatively inexpensive, and has pleasing tactileproperties.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cord management device 200 accordingto an embodiment of the invention. Cord management device 200 is similarin many respects to cord management device 100, as shown by thefollowing description of the components of cord management device 200 inwhich much of the language used mirrors the language used above todescribe cord management device 100. For the sake of simplicity andeconomy of language, some of the detail given above in connection withthe components of cord management device 100 is omitted in thisdiscussion of cord management device 200. However, the details givenabove for a particular feature or component of cord management device100 should be understood to apply equally to the corresponding featureor component of cord management device 200, unless the context indicatesotherwise.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, cord management device 200 comprises areceptacle 210 defining an interior space 220. Receptacle 210 comprisesa stationary portion 211 and a cover 215 hingedly attached to stationaryportion 211 and having a cutout 217 therein. Stationary portion 211comprises a cord management feature 213. Cover 215 is capable ofmovement between a first position, in which cover 215 substantiallyencloses interior space 220, and a second position, in which interiorspace 220 is exposed. Cutout 217 interacts with stationary portion 211to form an opening in receptacle 210 when cover 215 is in the firstposition.

Cover 215 comprises a front panel 231, a top panel 232 substantiallyperpendicular to front panel 231, a side panel 233 substantiallyperpendicular to front panel 231 and to top panel 232, and a side panel234 substantially parallel to and spaced apart from side panel 233. Inthe illustrated embodiment, cutout 217 is located in top panel 232. Cordmanagement device 200 further comprises a cutout 237 in side panel 233.

Interior space 220 is capable of and suitable for containing a powerstrip 240. Power strip 240, which in one embodiment can be a surgeprotector or the like, comprises an electrical outlet 241. In apreferred embodiment, electrical outlet 241 is one of a plurality ofelectrical outlets of power strip 240. Accordingly, the phrase“electrical outlet 241” may be used herein in the same way that“electrical outlet 141” is used. Electrical outlets 241 may be groupedinto the same three sets as were electrical outlets 141 in FIG. 1. Apower cord 250 is physically and electrically coupled to power strip140, and is capable of supplying electric power to electrical outlet141.

In cord management device 200, stationary portion 211 comprises a floor218 and a wall 219. Wall 219 comprises a front portion 281 spaced apartfrom a back portion 282. Front portion 281 and back portion 282 define aspace 283 therebetween. As an example, space 283 is capable ofcontaining at least a portion of cords 290, thereby organizing cords 290as well as hiding cords 290 or a portion thereof from view while keepingat least that portion of cord 290 from interfering with electricaloutlets 241. Cords 290 can exit out of either end of space 283, as shownin FIG. 2, or can exit out of the opening formed by the interaction ofcutout 117 and stationary portion 111, as illustrated in a subsequentfigure.

Cord management feature 213 comprises a slot 214 in front portion 281 ofwall 219. In the illustrated embodiment, slot 214 is one of a pluralityof slots, which together are referred to herein as slots 214.Accordingly, the phrase “slots 214,” as it is used herein, can referboth to a single one of the slots or to two or more of the slots, asindicated by the context. As illustrated, slot 214 is capable ofreceiving a portion of cords 290, and further capable of managing cords290, for example by organizing and/or hiding them from view. As anexample, each one of slots 214 can contain a portion of one of cords290, thus separating and organizing cords 290 and keeping them fromgetting tangled or twisted together.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of cord management device 200according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3,front portion 281 of wall 219 further comprises an aperture 310 which,in at least one embodiment, is capable of admitting a screwdriver shaftor the like, as shown. It will be understood that the screwdriver isnot, or need not be, a component of cord management device 200, but isshown merely to facilitate understanding of cord management device 200and way in which it may function.

Back portion 282 of wall 219 comprises an aperture 320 which, in atleast one embodiment, is capable of admitting a fastening device 311such as a screw. Apertures 310 and 320 and fastening device 311 may beused to attach cord management device 200 to an object such as abaseboard 301 or the like. In one embodiment, fastening device 311 ispermanently captured in aperture 320 such that it cannot fall out and belost. Fastening cord management device 200 to baseboard 301 lendsstability and permanence to cord management device 200, and furtherenhances the cable management functionality provided thereby.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of cord management device 100 with cover115 in the closed position according to an embodiment of the invention.As shown by FIG. 4, cord management device 100 conceals at least aportion of cords 290 and contributes to a well-organized, aestheticallyappealing appearance for cords 290. As further shown by FIG. 4, cordmanagement device 100 further comprises a visual indicator 410 capableof visually conveying information relative to power strip 140. In oneembodiment, visual indicator 410 is a light-emitting diode (LED). As anexample, visual indicator 410 may display light in a first pattern,color, or the like to indicate operation of cord management device 100in a first mode, such as, for example, normal operation in surgeprotection mode, and may display light in a different pattern, color, orthe like to indicate operation of cord management device 100 in adifferent mode, such as, for example, faulty operation in anon-surge-protected mode. In the illustrated embodiment, visualindicator 410 is located at floor 118, but in a non-illustratedembodiment visual indicator 410 may be located elsewhere on receptacle110 or power strip 140.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 of manufacturing a cordmanagement device according to an embodiment of the invention. A step510 of method 500 is to provide a power strip. As an example, the powerstrip can be similar to power strip 140, first shown in FIG. 1, and/orto power strip 240, first shown in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, step 510comprises procuring a fully-formed power strip and integrating it withthe cord management device. In a different embodiment, step 510comprises forming the power strip in the same or a separate procedureused to form one or more other components of the cord management device.

A step 520 of method 500 is to form a stationary portion of areceptacle, the stationary portion comprising a cord management feature.As an example, the stationary portion can be similar to stationaryportion 111, first shown in FIG. 1, and/or to stationary portion 211,first shown in FIG. 2. As another example, the cord management featurecan be similar to cord management feature 113, first shown in FIG. 1, orto cord management feature 213, first shown in FIG. 2. In oneembodiment, step 520 or another step comprises forming an aperture inthe stationary portion. As an example, the aperture can be similar toaperture 310 and/or to aperture 320, both of which were first shown inFIG. 3.

A step 530 of method 500 is to integrate the power strip and thestationary portion. In one embodiment, such integration occurs naturallyas part of an injection molding or other formation process. In adifferent embodiment, such integration is accomplished manually byplacing a power strip in an interior space formed by the receptacle (seethe discussion of step 550, below).

A step 540 of method 500 is to form a cover having a cutout therein. Asan example, the cover can be similar to cover 115, first shown in FIG.1, and/or to cover 215, first shown in FIG. 2, and the cutout can besimilar to cutout 117, also first shown in FIG. 1, and/or to cutout 217,first shown in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, step 540 or another stepcomprises forming a second cutout in the cover in addition to the firstcutout. As an example, the second cutout can be similar to cutout 137,first shown in FIG. 1, and/or to cutout 237, first shown in FIG. 2.

A step 550 of method 500 is to hingedly attach the cover to thestationary portion, thereby defining an interior space in which thepower strip is located. As an example, the interior space can be similarto interior space 120, first shown in FIG. 1, or to interior space 220,first shown in FIG. 2.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention. Various examples of such changes have been given inthe foregoing description. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments ofthe invention is intended to be illustrative of the scope of theinvention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that thescope of the invention shall be limited only to the extent required bythe appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art,it will be readily apparent that the cord management device discussedherein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that theforegoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does notnecessarily represent a complete description of all possibleembodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and thedrawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment of theinvention, and may disclose alternative embodiments of the invention.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to theinvention claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement ofone or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair.Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems havebeen described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, oressential features or elements of any or all of the claims.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

1. A cord management device comprising: a receptacle defining aninterior space and comprising: a stationary portion; and a coverhingedly attached to the stationary portion and having a first cutouttherein, wherein: the stationary portion comprises a cord managementfeature; the cord management system comprises: two or more slots in thestationary portion with each slot capable of containing a first portionof a single cord; the cover is capable of movement between a firstposition, in which the cover substantially encloses the interior space,and a second position, in which the interior space is exposed; and thefirst cutout interacts with the stationary portion to form an opening inthe receptacle when the cover is in the first position.
 2. The cordmanagement device of claim 1 further comprising: a power strip in theinterior space, the power strip comprising an electrical outlet; and apower cord physically and electrically coupled to the power strip andcapable of supplying electric power to the electrical outlet.
 3. Thecord management device of claim 2 wherein: the electrical outlet is oneof a plurality of electrical outlets; and the plurality of electricaloutlets comprises: a first set, in which adjacent electrical outlets areseparated from each other by a first distance; and a second set, inwhich adjacent electrical outlets are separated from each other by asecond distance.
 4. The cord management device of claim 3 wherein: theplurality of electrical outlets further comprises a third set; wherein:the third set comprises: at least one electrical outlet accessible whenthe cover is in the first position.
 5. The cord management device ofclaim 4 wherein: the cover comprises a second cutout; and the at leastone electrical outlets in the third set is accessible via the secondcutout when the cover is in the first position.
 6. The cord managementdevice of claim 2 wherein: the cord management feature is a bracketcomprising: a first finger and a second finger defining a space therebetween and separated by a gap.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The cord managementdevice of claim 2 wherein: the cover comprises: a front panel forming atleast a portion of a first exterior side of the cord management device;a top panel substantially perpendicular to the front panel forming atleast a portion of a second exterior side of the cord management device;a first side panel substantially perpendicular to the front panel and tothe top panel and forming at least a portion of a third exterior side ofthe cord management device; and a second side panel substantiallyparallel to and spaced apart from the first side panel and forming atleast a portion of a fourth exterior side of the cord management device;the first cutout is located in the top panel; and at least one of thefirst side panel and the second side panel contains a second cutout. 9.The cord management device of claim 2 wherein: the stationary portioncomprises a wall; the wall comprises a front portion spaced apart from aback portion; the front portion and the back portion define a firstportion of the interior space there between; the front portion comprisesa first aperture and the two or more slots; the back portion comprises asecond aperture; the front portion and the cover define a second portionof the interior space there between when the cover is in the firstposition; the front portion divides the first portion of the interiorspace from the second portion of the interior space; the power strip islocated in the second portion of the interior space and absent from thefirst portion of the interior space; and a second portion of the powercord is located in the first portion of the interior space.
 10. A cordmanagement device comprising: a receptacle defining an interior spaceand comprising: a floor; a wall adjacent to the floor, the wall and thefloor forming a stationary portion of the cord management device; and acover hingedly attached to the stationary portion and having a firstcutout therein, wherein: the wall comprises: a front portion spacedapart from a back portion; and one or more slots in the front portion;the front portion and the back portion of the wall define a first spacethere between, the first space is capable of holding a first portion ofone or more cords; the cover is capable of movement between a firstposition, in which the cover substantially encloses the interior spaceand defines a second space between the front portion and the cover, anda second position, in which the interior space is exposed; the interiorspace comprising the first and second spaces; the front portionseparates the first and second portion from each other; the first cutoutinteracts with the stationary portion to form an opening in thereceptacle when the cover is in the first position; and the one or morecords can exit the cord management device from at least one end of thespace through the opening and the cutout.
 11. The cord management deviceof claim 10 further comprising: a power strip comprising an electricaloutlet located in the second space; and a power cord physically andelectrically coupled to the power strip, located in the first space, andcapable of supplying electric power to the electrical outlet.
 12. Thecord management device of claim 11 wherein: the power strip forms atleast a portion of the floor.
 13. The cord management device of claim111 wherein: the power strip forms at least a portion of the wall. 14.The cord management device of claim 11 wherein: the receptacle comprisesa visual indicator capable of visually conveying information relative tothe power strip.
 15. The cord management device of claim 11 wherein: theelectrical outlet is one of a plurality of electrical outlets; and theplurality of electrical outlets comprises: a first set, in whichadjacent electrical outlets are separated from each other by a firstdistance; a second set, in which adjacent electrical outlets areseparated from each other by a second distance, different from the firstdistance; the electrical outlets in the first set are not part of thesecond set; and the electrical outlets in the second set are not part ofthe first set.
 16. The cord management device of claim 15 wherein: theplurality of electrical outlets further comprises a third set, wherein:the third set comprises at least one electrical outlet accessible whenthe cover is in the first position.
 17. The cord management device ofclaim 16 wherein: the cover comprises a second cutout; and the at leastone electrical outlets in the third set is accessible via the secondcutout when the cover is in the first position.
 18. The cord managementdevice of claim 10 wherein: the cord management feature is a bracketcomprising: a first finger and a second finger defining a space therebetween and separated by a gap.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The cord managementdevice of claim 10 wherein: the cover is hingedly attached to the floor.21. The cord management device of claim 10 wherein: the cover comprises:a front panel forming a first side of the cord management device; a toppanel substantially perpendicular to the front panel forming a secondside of the cord management device; a first side panel substantiallyperpendicular to the front panel and to the top panel and forming athird side of the cord management device; and a second side panelsubstantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first side panel andforming a fourth side of the cord management device; the first cutout islocated in the top panel; and at least one of the first side panel andthe second side panel contains a second cutout.
 22. The cord managementdevice of claim 10 wherein: the front portion comprises a firstaperture; and the back portion comprises a second aperture. 23.(canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. (canceled)
 26. The cord management deviceof claim 3 wherein: the plurality of electrical outlets in the first setare not part of the second set; and the plurality of electrical outletsin the second set are not part of the first set.
 27. The cord managementdevice of claim 2 further comprising: the power strip further comprisesat least one second electrical outlet accessible when the cover is inthe first position.
 28. The cord management device of claim 27 wherein:the cover comprises a second cutout; and the at least one secondelectrical outlet is accessible via the second cutout when the cover isin the first position.
 29. The cord management device of claim 28wherein: the cover comprises: a front panel forming at least a portionof a first exterior side of the cord management device; a top panelsubstantially perpendicular to the front panel forming at least aportion of a second exterior side of the cord management device; a firstside panel substantially perpendicular to the front panel and to the toppanel and forming at least a portion of a third exterior side of thecord management device; and a second side panel substantially parallelto and spaced apart from the first side panel and forming at least aportion of a fourth exterior side of the cord management device; thefirst cutout is located in the top panel; and at least one of the firstside panel and the second side panel contains a second cutout.
 30. Thecord management device of claim 15 wherein: the power strip furthercomprises at least one second electrical outlet accessible when thecover is in the first position.
 31. The cord management device of claim16 wherein: the cover comprises a second cutout; and the at least onesecond electrical outlets is accessible via the second cutout when thecover is in the first position.
 32. A cord management device comprising:a receptacle defining an interior space and comprising: a floor; a walladjacent to the floor, the wall and the floor forming a stationaryportion of the cord management device; and a cover hingedly attached tothe stationary portion and having a first cutout therein, wherein: thewall comprises: a front portion spaced apart from a back portion; andone or more slots in the front portion; the front portion and the backportion of the wall define a first space there between; the first spacecapable of holding a first portion of one or more cords; the cover iscapable of movement between a first position, in which the coversubstantially encloses the interior space and defines a second spacebetween the front portion and the cover, and a second position, in whichthe interior space is exposed; the interior space comprising the firstand second spaces; the receptacle further comprises at least twoopenings leading from the first space to an exterior of the receptaclewhen the cover is in the first position; the two openings sized largeenough to permit the one or more cords to exit the receptacle from thefirst space.
 33. The cord management device of claim 32 wherein: thefirst cutout interacts with the stationary portion to form one openingof the at least two openings when the cover is in the first position.34. The cord management device of claim 32 wherein: two of the openingsof the at least two openings are at opposite sides of the first space.35. The cord management device of claim 34 wherein: the first cutoutinteracts with the stationary portion to form a third opening of the atleast two openings when the cover is in the first position; and thethird opening is at a third side of the first space that is differentfrom the opposite sides of the first space.